Wolf Wars

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Story Published: Apr 1, 2008 at 9:31 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 12:21 PM MST

By Mary Sturgill

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As of March 28th, Idaho has assumed full responsibility for wolves.
And the Anti Wolf Coalition met tonight in Idaho Falls to spread the word of their cause. This is a group of concerned farmers, ranchers and hunters who are looking to protect their livestock, their livelihood and the big game in Idaho. But given recent developments, they may have a fight on their hands.

Wolves aren't the only ones out on the prowl these days in Idaho. Now that the wolves are supposedly delisted, The Anti Wolf Coalition is on the prowl too.

Rex Rammell explains their position. "We don't want any wolves. We don't believe that wolves and big game can co-mingle."

According to Fish and Game Since 66 wolves were reintroduced to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Washington 13 years ago, the population has grown to 15 hundred with more than 700 of them in Idaho. Ron Gillett with The Anti Wolf Coalition says those numbers are deceiving. "There's no way to manage wolves in Idaho because you cannot keep track of the numbers and the reason for that is Idaho has the roughest terrain and typography in the lower 48. There is a minimum of 3,000 to 3,500 wolves in this state."

Management of the wolves has passed to Idaho Fish and Game and they will be managed as big game. But law suits by environmental groups could derail the delisting. Rex Rammell says, "Basically what they'll do is tie everything up in court for years."

Rex Rammell says The Anti Wolf Coalition's immediate goal is to get the issue on the November ballot. "We believe this is could be the greatest tragedy Idaho has ever seen as far as our wildlife is concerned."

"This is a failed experiment. The studies are over. Get 'em out. The only way to manage wolves in Idaho is to get rid of them." -Ron Gillett

There was only a handful of people there tonight. But the coalition is hoping that word of mouth and their criss crossing the state will spread the word of their cause. They have until the end of April to get 45 thousand signatures on that petition. They're about half way there.

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